Cash and parcel carrier



(No Model.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 3.

w. s. LAMSON at E. L.'GILES.'

GASH AND PARCEL CARRIER.

No. 326,128. Patented Sept. 15, 1885.

r s snet -sh et 4. W. S. LAMSON 8v E. L. GILES.

CASH AND 'PARUEL CARRIER.

No. 326,128. Patented Sept. 15, .1885;

(No Model v 6 hgets-Sheet 5. l W. LAMSON 88- E. L. GILES.

CASH AND PARCEL CARRIER.

No. 828,128. Patented Sept 15, 1885.

(No Model.)

N. PETERS. Phobulhogliphur. Wlthington. ILC

(NoModeL) V 6 Sheets-Sheefi 6. W. S. LAMSON 8: E. L. GILES.

CASH AND PARGEL CARRIER. No. 326,128. Patented Sept. 15, 1885.

UNITED. STATES WILLIAM S. LAMSON AND EDWV IN L.

PATENT OFFICE.

GILES, or LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS.

CASH AND PARCEL CARRIER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 326,128, dated September 15,188 5..

Application filed June 9, 1885. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, WILLIAM S. LAMSON and EDWIN L. GILES, citizens of the United States, and residents of Lowell, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Carrying Cash and Parcels in Stores, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to'that class of storeservice apparatus in which the carriers travel upon two ways between the counters and main desk; and our invention consists in certain improvements, fully set forth hereinafter, whereby carriers adapted to hold parcels of large sizemay be placed upon the ways-as desired by the salesman, and may travel continuously thereon without being detached,

while permitting the ready reception and re- 'Fig. 8 is a side View ofFig. 2; Fig. 4, a rear view of the parts shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 5, a

- perspective view of an elevator; Fig. 6, a section on the line 1 2, Fig. 2; Fig. 7, a section on the line 3 4, Fig. 2; Fig. 8, a detached view showingthe terminus of the upper way; Fig. 9, a perspective View illustrating the construction of an automatic switch device at the junction of the main and branch ways; Fig. 10, aplan of Fig. 9; Fig. 11, an enlarged section on the line 5 6, Fig. 10; Fig. 12, a

diagrammatic View illustrating the general arrangement of the apparatus; Fig. 13, an end view of one of the carriers.

The tracks of the system extend between the central desk and the counters of the salesmen;

but instead of having a series of stations adjacent to the mainlines or tracks, with appliances at the sides of the latter for carrying 'the cars or carriers from one line and putting them upon another, we extend abranch. track from each of the upper and lower maintracks to each station, and provide means, except at Lthe terminus of the main tracks, for transferring thecarriers from one track to the other; and in order to avoid the necessity of detach- -riers having detachable receptacles, or receptacles'capable of being pulled down from the upon the tracks. We are thus enabled to move the carriers in a continuous circuit'to them at any point,except,in some instances,at the main desk, and without the necessity of detaching them at the latter point. There are of courseswitches and graduated appliances for directing each carrier to its proper branch.

WVhile different kinds of ways, and different modes of supporting them, and different styles of carriers and switches and elevators maybe employed in connection with our improved system, we will now describe the construction tive.

The ways or tracks consist each of two wooden rails, a a, arranged parallel to each other a short distance apart, and areretained in proper juxtaposition and properly supported by means of overarching metallic yokes l), terminating in side plates,yc, adapted for application to the sides of. therails, and with these yokes we combine laterally-extended arms d d and braces e, the ends of the arms terminating in knobs perforated for the passage of flexible suspending-wires a, set-screws 6 serving to secure the arms in position upon the wire after adjustment. Theupper way or track, A, is arranged directly above the lower track, B,"the upper track extending from the terminal station downward to the cashiers desk, and the lower track extending from the latter downward to the terminal station, and the armed yokes b of the upper track being arranged directly above the similar yokes of the lower track, so

tend through the arms of the yokes upon-the same vertical plane, thereby supporting the lower track directly beneath the upper one, as shown in Fig. 1. l

From the main ways extend branches.A BS each of the branches of the lowerway being exactly below the corresponding branch of the ing the carriers from the tracks we use car-' frames of the carriers while the latter remain of apparatus which we have found to be efi'ecand from the main desk without detaching that the same flexible suspensories a may exbetween the side supports of the ways.

upper way, and the said branches extending each to one of the stations, where there is an elevating apparatus constructed to receive each carrier as it passes from the end of a lower branch, B, and elevate it, at the will of the attendant, to and place it upon the end of the corresponding upper branch, A.

The branch ways consist of parallel tracks, the same as those of the main rails, and supported by yokes and flexible suspensories in the same manner as the main ways.

The particular construction of the carriers will be fully set forth hereinafter, the principal features being a frame, 0, supported by two wheels, ff, each having a central rib,- a

pendent bar, h,extending from the frame downward between the rails of the track, a

basket or receptacle, 3, and extensible connec 'tions between the latter andthe part of the frame below the track. The extensible connections serve to normally maintain the re-' ceptacle j in contact with the frame, but permit the receptacle to be pulled downward, so

as to allow the salesman or cashier to have ready access to the receptacle, and when the receptacle is released elevate it automatically to its normal position.

The elevator carries a track-section, G, consistingof two parallel rails corresponding tothose of the way, and adapted to be brought into line both with the lower and the upper way, so as to receive the carriers from the lower way or its branch, and after elevating them deliver them to the upper way or its branch; and when there is an elevator of this character at each station and at the central desk (where, however, the carriers are moved of the carrier in its elevated circuit, can be drawn down within convenient reach of the attendant and cashier.

The apparatus illustrated is intended especially for the carrying of parcels, in which it is necessary to employ receptacles extending each to a considerable extent laterally beyond the ways,necessitating a considerable distance This support is secured by extending the arms b laterally from the ways,and by connecting the vertical supports a to the ends of these arms. This means of support is light, strong, permits an easy adjustment of each way and its branches, insures the proper relation of one way to the other, and is so simple in its character that the ways may be readfl y suspended in any'desired position without other attachments to floor, counters, or shelving, and without defacing the ceiling of the store.

' The terminal support of the main. ways and each branch consists of two parallel vertical rods, It It, extending to the ceiling and through the ends of metallic I arms m, fastened to the sides of the ends of the ways or branches, bent outward and secured by clamps and adjustingscrews m to the said rods. The terminal rodsupports it not only serve to support and brace the structure, but also as guides for the elevator E. As shown, the elevator consists of a frame, F, provided with ears a sliding upon the rods k, and with a central gate or opening, within which is pivoted the track-section G, the two rails of the latter being centrally connected by a yoke, H, having lateral trunnions 2, extending into bearings at the sides of the said opening, the yoke and frame being provided with stops b b, so arranged as to permit a limited swinging movement of the tracksection, and hold it in the different positions shown in the drawings.

The rope or cord d is connected at one end to each elevator, passes over a guidepulley supported by the ceiling or the rods k, and downward, its lower end being in convenient proximity to the salesman or cashier, so that by drawing upon the said cord the elevator may be raised, and by releasing it the elevator may be lowered.

The pivoted track section G is provided with a buffer-stop, I-I, consisting of a springplate, 19, Figs. 8 and 5, connected at its upper end to the rails, and pendent therefrom, and a curved plate, 10, connected at its lower end to the lower end of the plate 0, and bent forward, with its upper end in position to be struck by the stem orframe of the carrier.

track-section in line therewith as the carrier .passes from the stationary to the tilting track.

At the end of each of the stationary rails of the upper track is a plate or extension, r, which is inclined upward and tapers or gradually decreases in thickness toward the end, and is so arranged that the upper side of each rail of the tiltingtrack will be brought against the under side of one of the said plates as the elevator reaches its upper position, so that the plates will cover the said track, and so that the contact of the latter with the plates will tilt downward the inner end of the tilting section, and cause the carrier to run toward the stationary track, passing onto and over the said inclined plates.

In order to retain the carrier upon the tilting section until the elevator is in proper position for the carrier to pass to the upper track, the said tiltingsection is provided with a detent of suitable construction to permit the carrier to pass to a position against the: stop or buffer, and to then hold it in place; and in connection with this detent appliances are used for carrying the detent out of its locking position when the elevator reaches its elevated position. Different kinds of detents will suggest themselves to those skilled in theart, that shown, consisting of a locking-plate, 1,

Figs. 3, 5, 6, pivoted at one end at 3 to'the under side of one of the tracks of the tilting section provided with an'inclined edge, 4:, an

abrupt shoulder, 5, and a spring, 6, tends to clined edge 4, and will be thrown inward as it maintain the detent in the position shown in Fig. 6, so that the'detentcan swing outward as the stem of the carrier slides over the in passes the shoulder 5. A crank-rod, J, rocks 1 in bearings upon the frame of the elevator,

and a crank at its lower end extends through a slot, 7, in the projecting .end of the detent I, and at the upper end of the rod J is an arm,

8, so arranged as to strike the inclined edge of a stop-plate, K, just before the elevator reaches the limit of its upward movement. As'the arm 8 strikes the edge of the stop-plate K the rod Jwill be turned to carry the crank outward in the direction of the arrow, Figs. 5 and-6, and move the shoulder 5 from its po sition in front of the carrier, which movementoccurs j ust as th etilting track has been brought against the under sides of the plates r, and the track has been tilted to cause the carrier to .run onto said plates, when the transfer will take place, after which the attendant or the salesman, by releasing the cord d,permits the elevator to descend to its lowest position.

To prevent the carriers which pass to the lower track from runningoff the ends of the latter when the elevator is not in position to receive them, each lower track orbranch is provided near its end with a detent, which may be of any suitable constructionfor in stance, like the stop-plate I or like the lockplate L, Fig. 7, which is a straight plate en- L larged at one end, pivoted at 10 below one of the rails, and with an edge, 11, which, when the plate is in the position shown in Fig. 7

obstructs the passage between the rails and prevents the .forward movement of the carrier.

arms m, has its crank connected by a rod, W,

with the end of the plate L, and anarm, m

7 Figs. 4 and 7, at the opposite end, projects the arm m when a spring, m bearing upon the side of the detent-plate L, will throw thelonging to a station on the-branch track shall outward in a position tobe struck bya bracket, m, upon the elevatonas theJatter approaches vits lowest position, whereby the detent-plate is then withdrawn to permit the carrier to pass onto the track-section G. As

' soon as the carrieris raised with the elevator the bracket .m is removed from contact with latter totheposition shown in Fig. 7.

To prevent noise, and also to prevent the movable section of the track from being too.

en'dsof the stationary or movable tracks, so

as to be slightly compressed as the movable track is brought to its position, thereby securing the desired result. a

We have shown the elevator as adapted-to the particular construction of carrier shown; .but it will be evident that when the carriers are of a different character the character of the elevating device must be correspondingly varied.

To insure the retention of the ends" of the upper rails in their position to coact properly with the elevator, braces P are extended from the said rails to the rods 76. The. bracesP have perforated extensions at their lower ends,

adapted to fit against the sides of the rails, to which they are connected by screws, and are clamped'atuthe uppenendsto the rods in'any suitable manner. i The carriers might be'run from the. movable rail'section G directly onto. the upper way; but as any slight displacement of the movable rail-section might result in derailing the carriers we use the bridge rails or plates 1, which, as they overlie; the. movable tracksection, receive and guide the carriers, so as to properly direct the same, even if the extreme ends of the movable track-section'do' .not coincide with .those of the stationary track. 7. i

Whenever it is desirable toput' an additional carrier upon the track and into circulation, this may be done by each salesman by lifting the elevator slightly to expose the end of the lower track, placing the additional carrier upon the latter, and then-lowering the elevator and permitting the carrier to pass from the stationary track onto themovable track section.

We have described the yokes'b as overarch- 1 ing the tracks. It will be evident, however,

that the yokesmay be inverted and extend beneath the tracks; but as. this would. neces sitate enlarging the yokes sufficiently. to permit the passage of the basket or receptacle of the carrier, it is preferable to place the yokes above the tracks, as sh own, the extended arms d affording widespread. supports for the sus IIO pensories,ireadily permitting the passage of receptacles loaded with bundles of the largest j size that it would be practicable to carry upon an elevated track. The spreading apart of thesuspensory supports hasthe furthel" advantage of securing, great stability and preventing the tracks from tiltingqunder the movements of the carriers.

. It. is of course necessary that the carriers shall each be directed to the branch leading tothe station fronrwhichit was sent. To effeet this a switch device is placed at. the inter-v section of each branch and the maintr'ack,

and the, said ,device so set thata carrier/bebe properlyfdirected. Any of the various graduated switch devices heretofore employed-f:

maybe used for this purpose. We prefer,

however, to use that which is illustrated :in

Figs. 9, 10, and 11 of the drawings. In these figures 8 represents the usual switch-tongue, which may be set so as to be normallyin alignment with either the main or branch rails. Preferably the tongue is held in line with the main rails by the action of a spring, 8.

The graduated-switch-operating devices are supported preferably by the yoke 1), adjacent to the track'junction, and in the construction shown said devices consist of a horizontal 1ever, Q, with a curved end extending beneath the yoke, pivoted at 13 to an arm, 14, extending from the yoke, and having an opening at the opposite end to receive a rod, 15, extend ing upward from an arm, 8 projecting to the rear from the heel of the switch point or tongue.

Each carrier is provided with a standard, t, the lower end of which fits a socket in the frame of the carrier, so that the standard is adjustable vertically, and aset-screw, t, serves to secure the standard after adjustment, and each standard is set at such a height as to make contact only with the lever Q at the branch to which the carrier belongs, so that as the car rier approaches the branch the standard will be brought in contact with the curved edge of the lever Q, and will swing the latter in the direction of its arrow, Fig. 9, moving the tongue 8 to the opposite position from that shown in said figure, so as to carry the carrier to the branch track, the spring 8 restoring the parts to their normal position as soon as the Wheels of the carrier pass from the switchtongue. 7 7 i To insure the proper action of the carrier upon the lever Q and prevent the standard 25 from swinging to one side, we employ guideplates u u, arranged above the track on opposite sides of the path of the standard it, the edges of the guides diverging, so that should the carrier be swinging or tilted as it approaches the guides the standard will strike one or the other and be finally diverted to the narrow passage between the guides in proper position to operate upon the lever Q.

In the construction shown the guides are secured to or cast with the yoke; but they may be supported in any suitable manner, so as to direct the standard in its proper course.

The curved end of the lever Qis bent downward to an extent dependent upon the position of the branch in connection with which the lever is used, the ends of the levers being set lower in proportion as they are farther v the side of the tapering point, and make a re cess, x, in the side of the rail to receive this projecting portion, which, having its bearing upon the face of said recess, holds the tongue in position as the carrier passes onto and over it.

The general arrangement of the system embodying our invention is illustrated in the diagram, Fig. 12, in which A A represent the upper main ways leading to the cashiers desk 'B A, the upper branch rails; A the secondary branch rails extending from the main branches A, and E the elevators at the ends of the ways and branches.

Inasmuch as'each carrier travels in a circuit from the main desk to the station and back, the loss of time and difficulties of manipulation, resulting from the moving of the carriers at the stat-ions,are avoided, while as each carrier is provided with areceptaclewhich can be drawn down and will automatically rise when released, packages of various sizes will be effectively carried, while the ways will be arranged at a considerable elevation, so as to be wholly out of the way of attendants or customers. It will also be seen that notwithstanding the fact that the carriers travel upon the ways back and forth between the desk and stations, and that they are not detached from the ways at the stations to remove the goods, they can nevertheless be placed upon the ways by the salesman,so that each salesman can forward as many carriers in rapid succession to the desk as may be necessary, thereby avoiding the delays which are inevitable when each station is provided with but one carrier traveling back and forth upon one line between the station and the desk.

We have referred to the circulation of the carriers. It will be evident from the preceding description, and inspection of Fig. 12, that this circulation is not only between upper and lower tracks of the main line,but from the desk along the main lines and between the ends of the branches, and that it is an automatic circulation, through the medium of the switches and their graduated operating devices, of all the carriers between the main desk and each of the branches, so that each carrier moves.

ployed in the carrier before referred to is. illustrated in Fig. 13, which shows the carrier as having a frame, R, connected to the stem h, which frame supports two drums, S S, each containing a coiled spring connected to turn the drum in the direction of the arrow, said spring being shown in dotted lines. Round each drum is wrapped aband or strap, T, which is fastened at the lower end to one side of the carrier-receptacle, and a pendent handle, U, permits the latter to be seized and drawn down, as shown in Fig. 13, the springs turning the drums, winding up. the straps, and elevating the receptacle as, soon as the latter is released.

While we have shown and described the tracks or ways as being inclined, it will be evident that they may be horizontal, the carriers being propelled thereon in any suitable manner, and being transferred from one to the other of the ways, so as to circulate withand described, we claim- 1. The combination, in a store-service apparatus, of main forwarding and returntracks, corresponding branch traoks extending from the said main tracks, and graduated switch ing appliances, substantially as described, elevators at the ends of the main and branch tracks, constructed to receive and convey the carriers from one track to the other, and carriers adapted to said tracks and elevators and to automatically operate the said switches, substantially as set forth. 2. The combination, in a store-service apparatus, of the corresponding main and branch tracks, elevators at the ends of the main tracks and branches, and carriers adapted to travel continuously upon said tracks, provided with receptacles, and extensible connections whereby the receptacles are maintained normally in contact with the frames of the carriers, but so as to be capable of being drawn down independently of the frames, substantially as described.

3. A store-service apparatus provided with main tracks having branches and automatic graduated switching appliances, and with elevators at the ends of the main tracks and branches, and carriers adapted to travel upon the tracks without being detached therefrom, and provided with movable receptacles, substantially as described.

4. The combination, in a store service apparatusf of main and branch tracks provided with automatic graduated switching appliances, and with elevators arranged to convey the carriers between'the contiguous ends of the tracks, and carriers provided with movable receptacles and constructed each to opera-te one of the switches, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. The combination,with the corresponding upper and lower tracks of a store-service ap-.

paratus, and with an elevator constructed to convey the carriers from one track to the other, of a detent arranged to arrest the movement of the carriers toward the elevator, and connections, substantially as described, between the detent and the elevator, for the purpose set forth.

6. The combination, with the vertically moving carrier-elevator and corresponding tracks leading thereto and therefrom, of a detent, and connections, substantially as described, between the elevator and the detent, whereby the latter is held in position to obstruct the track, except when the elevator is in position to receive the carrier, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination, with the elevator, corresponding tracks leading thereto and there from, of a detent arranged to obstruct the track leading to the elevator, an arm or bracket upon the elevator, and connections between the detent and the saidarm, substantially as described.

8. The combination, with the receiving and return tracks of a store-service apparatus, of anelevator guided to travel between the'said tracks and having an opening, and a tilting track-section extending through said opening and arranged to be brought to coincidewith both the tracks, substantiallyas described.

9. The combination, with the elevator and the return and delivery tracks, of a catch upon the elevator adapted to hold the carriers, and a stop arranged to make contact with and withdraw said catch when the elevator is brought in position to deliver the carrierto' the forwarding track, substantially as described.

10. The combination,with the elevator-frame F, having an opening therein, of a track-section consisting of two connected rails extending through and swinging in said opening and adaptedto receive and deliver the carriers, and a detent whereby the carriers are retained, and devices, substantially as described, for withdrawing said .detent as the track-section is brought to coincide with the delivery-track, substantially as described. i

11. The combination, with the track-section forming part of the elevator, of an elastic buffer, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination of the elevator-frame,

tilting track -section and stops arranged to limit the movement of the tilting section, substantially as described.

13. The combination of the elevator-frame, track section andjyoke connected to the track-section, and trunnions supporting the latter, substantially as set forth.

14. The combination, with the forwarding and delivery tracks, of an elevator carrying a tilting track-section, and lipsfq at the ends of the delivery-track, substantially as set forth.

15. The combination of the forwarding and delivery tracks and elevator carrying the tilting track-section, and plates 4*, extending from the ends of the forwarding track-rails, substantially as and for the purpose described.

16. The combination of the forwarding and delivery track and elevator provided with a courses between the desk and stations, and

elevators arrangedto receive the carriers from and deliver them to theopen-ends of the tracks, substantially as described.

tially as described.

I 18. The combination, with the upper and lower tracks of a store-service apparatus, of

19. The combination, with the upper and lower tracks of a store-service apparatus, ar-

ranged one directly above the other, of yokes having lateral arms arranged upon the upper track directly above similar yokes upon the lower track, and flexible suspensories, each connected to yokes in the same vertical plane, substantially as described.

20. The combination, with the tracks, of yokes having laterally extended perforated arms, flexible suspensories extending through the perforations in said arms, and set-screws for securing the yokes to the suspensories, substantially as described.

21. The combination of the parallel rails, yokes connected thereto, and laterally-extended arms and braces, substantially as set forth.

22. The combination, with the parallel rails of a store-service track, and with guide'rods supporting an elevator, of arms on, connected to the sides of the rails and bent outward and attached to the rods, substantially as set forth.

23. The combination, with the vertical rods k and parallel rails, of connectingarms P, substantially as described.

24. The combination, with the main and branch rails, and with a switch-tongue, of a tongueoperating lever arranged to be struck by. standards upon the carriers, substantially as set forth.

25. The combination, with the main and branch tracks, tongue, and operating-lever, of guides arranged adjacent to the said lever to direct the course of standards upon the carriers, substantially as set forth.

26. The combination of the main and branch tracks, tongue, lever Q, connected to said tongue and extending over the track, and guide-plates a a, substantially as and for the purpose described.

27. The combination, with the main and branch tracks and switch, of an overarching yoke, switch-operating lever pivoted to an arm of the yoke, and guide-plates a, supported by the yoke, substantially as set forth. 7

28. The combination of the switch-tongue, provided with an arm and rod extending up Ward therefrom, and an operating-lever overhanging the track, connected to the said rod, substantially as set forth.

29. The switch -tongue provided with an extension or projection, 20, in combination with the trackrail, having a recess, x, sub stantially as and for the purpose described.

30. The combination, with the ways of a storeservice apparatus, of vertical rods at the terminus of the ways, or the branches thereof, and elevators moving upon said rods, substantially as set forth.

31. The combination of the Ways and verti cal rods connected by brackets with the ends of the ways, and elevators supported by said rods, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM S. LAMSON. ,EDVVIN L. GILES.

WVitnesses:

E. F. ENDICOTT, O. W. LooKE. 

